8 



LAMELLIROSTRAL SWIMMERS — ANSERES. 



illii 



While unquestionably distinct from N. carolinensis, the male being very easily separated, we 

 have not been able, with our limited material, tc discover tangible dilferences between the females 

 of the two species. 



The Common Teal of the Old World fauna is of irregular occurrence in Eastern 

 North America. Several specimens have from time to time been taken in the vicin- 

 ity of New York city, and others have been found in the New York market by Mr. 

 J. G. Bell. It has also been taken occasionally in different parts of Greenland, accord- 

 ing to the testimony of the elder Eeinhardt and of HolboU. It is also very common 

 in Iceland. 



In the rala?arctic Region it is widely distributed, occurring, at different seasons, 

 over nearly or quite every portion of that country. In Great Britain and in Ireland 

 it is an early and a constavit winter visitaut, making its appearance about the end of 

 September, and remaining until late in the spring, its numbers being recruited through 

 tlie winter by additional arrivals from the northern parts of Europe. In the spring 

 many remain in both islands, and breed in various places — some as far south as 

 Suffolk in England, and others in Wales. In Northumberland, according to Mr. 

 Selby, the indigenous broods of the Teal seldom quit the immediate neighborhood oi 

 the place in Avhich they were bred. This bird is quite abundant in Scotland, but less 

 so on the Orkney and Shetland Islands. 



It is widely and numerously dispersed all over Sweden and Norway, but is most 

 plentiful in the northern portions during the breeding-season. It breeds in abun- 

 dance all over Lapland and Noi'thern Russia ; and in the migrations is more or less 

 common in all the countries of Europe, as well as of Northern Africa. It is included 

 in the list of the birds of Asia, and is found in various parts of India, China, and 

 Japan. 



According to Yarrell, the Teal bears confinement well ; and in the gardens of the 

 Zoological Society of London, though restricted to a very small pond, with a margin 

 of high and thick grass and some low shrubs, it has bred regularly for several seasons 

 in succession. The eggs are white, tinged with buff, measuring 1.75 inches in length 

 by 1.34 in breadth. 



The food of the Teal in its wild state consists of seeds, grasses, roots, water-plants, 

 and various insects ; but in confinement it is best fed with grain. It breeds in the 

 long rushy herbage about the edges of lakes, or in the boggy parts of the upland 

 moors ; its nest, according to Selby, being formed of a lai'ge mass of decayed vegetable 

 matter, with a lining of down and feathers, upon which eight or ten eggs usually rest 

 — these in some instances, however, numbering as many as fifteen. In the cultivated 

 regions of Lapland, where the Teal is very common, it breeds in all the mossy fields 

 and bogs. 



Mr. Vernon Harconrt found it in Madeira ; and in the Azores Mr. Godman reports 

 it as quite common, a few pairs breeding in the Island of Flores. It also occiurs at 

 Teneriffo and in the Canaries. A few of this species are supposed to breed in 

 France and in the northern portions of Greece ; and Captain Shelley is confident 

 that this bird breeds even in Egypt and Nubia. It occurs in Siberia as far to the east 

 as Kamtschatka. 



According to the observations of Mr. Dresser, the Teal is laore especially a fresh- 

 water Duck, its presence on the salt water being something exceptional. In the day- 

 time it frequents ponds, pools, or sheets of watei in marshy countries, where the rank 

 growth of flags or rushes affords it a shelter, and either sits motionless on the banks, 

 or floats on the surface of the water. Toward the close of the day it becomes rest- 



/ 



% 



d 



